Koi: A Handbook on Keeping Nishikigoi (Paperback)
Book Description Caring for and showing koi, affectionately called "living jewels" or "swimming flowers." With full-color photographs, annotated illustrations and detailed, expert how-to advice, this guidebook is ideal for the koi hobbyist.
Koi begins with the history of koi-keeping, from the first known use of the word "koi"(about 500 BC) to the early 1900s, when collectors began breeding them for specific colors and metallics. The markings and patterns of koi are their most important feature, and the authors detail these in depth and define the Japanese terms used to describe them.
In addition to the section on the 15 varieties of koi, or nishikigoi, the authors address the care and exhibition of koi. Topics include:
The water environment
Feeding programs
Pond design and maintenance
Environmental health factors
Evaluating and grading koi
Behavioral symptoms
Pre-show and post-show preparations
Parasitic, bacterial and viral conditions
Judging criteria used at shows
The effects of temperature on feeding
Selecting and breeding koi
How to enhance colors
Koi is a complete and practical reference on these enjoyable, enchanting creatures. (amazon.com)
Koi Carp Online
Labels: KCO-Book
In Japan, breeding koi—a colorful and beautiful member of the carp family—has occupied a position between hobby and art form for more than two centuries. This stunningly illustrated book, compiled by a team of koi experts, shows and tells aquarium enthusiasts virtually everything they need to know about this fascinating activity. Koi are hardy fish, relatively large in size, and the most practical way to keep them is in an outdoor pond. Combining text with illustrations, an important section of the book explains the requirements of a garden pond for koi, showing the filtration system and pointing out how it functions. Most of the book concentrates on koi themselves, focusing on a brief history of koi, advice on buying koi, the fish's physiology, health care, feeding, breeding koi, showing koi, and joining koi clubs. An 80-page section tells all about koi variations, and features color photos of more than 100 varieties. Illustrated two-page spreads review each variety's history, and show both their more desirable and less desirable color markings. Here is a beautifully designed and illustrated volume that emphasizes the special satisfactions of keeping and breeding koi. Approximately 450 color photos and illustrations. (amazon.com)
